As a child, Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. I had so much fun dressing up and going trick or treating every year. When I was in my late teens early 20's, it was all about the costume and the parties! The past couple of years we haven't had any parties to attend, so we haven't had an opportunity to come up with a classic costume. Our Halloweens will have new meaning again in a couple of years. Maleena will love dressing up and going trick or treating! We aren't taking her out this year. I would be too embarrassed, because the people would know who the candy is really for! For this year, she'll dress up in her pumpkin costume and help us pass out candy.

I am going to share one of the most classic costumes that Chip and I came up with the first year we were dating. We were a hit at the party we attended that year!

For some reason, I decided today that I wanted comments on my Blog. I was perfectly happy with my Tag Board, but then I thought about how cool it would be to have comments instead. Not that many people look at this site, or even sign the Tag Board that is already on it! But when I visit other Blogs and I see all the different and fun tools that they have, and like a child in a candy store, I want them too! So, after a long day of trying to get these comments working, my computer wiz hubby, Chip, helped me out and got the frustrating problems fixed! Hooray! Be sure to make me feel like our work was worthwhile and leave me some comments!

I've also added a subscribe option. If you would like to receive an email advising you when I update this, please enter your email address in the box to the right. It's a really cool feature. I've signed up for a few of the Blogs that I read on a daily basis, and it saves me some time from checking their sites!

My uncle sent me this great ghost story and link. You have to check it out and let me know what you think. Be sure to take your time and look real hard at the picure! Here's the email:

This is pretty spooky. Read the story below
before you go to the picture. Apparently the
owners of this house had been seeing images and
hearing voices for quite a while. They did some
research and found that a lady once lived in the
house who lost her husband during the civil war.
Legend says that she used to sit at the table and
look across the fields in anticipation of her
loved one returning home. He never came. So,
they say she still waits. They caught this photo
(using digital imaging and sound) of what they
claim to be her. This one is wild and a little
spooky once you find the ghost in the picture.

It takes a minute to find it, but when you
do, it just stands out. Like one of those
optical illusions.

Have you ever reached a point in life where you feel as though you are doing exactly what you are meant to? I really feel as though I have. In the past, I worked a full-time job. These jobs started out fun, but as time went on, it grew old and stale. Once the excitement of a new challenge wore off, I would feel unsettled. Unfortunately, the two companies that I worked for weren't big promoters, so I often got stuck in the same job for an extended period of time. I would then become unhappy and bored without any new challenges. And at the time, it was difficult for me to make change happen by myself.

Fortunately, I was laid off from my job (well over a year ago) only days before I was ready to turn in my resignation. And as if that wasn't lucky enough, I found out that I was pregnant a week after that! I was thrilled that I saw the future direction of my life without having to make too much happen on my own. Now that Maleena is here, I have never felt more content or happy with my "job" and my life. Maleena changes every day and so do my challenges, making it more and more interesting every day. And the best part of all is that this job’s paycheck comes in the format of love. I will take that kind of payment over cash any day. I feel like this is the first time in my life that I am doing everything that I am meant to be doing. And that just makes me happy!

It was interesting to be back in grandma's old house so many years later. The inside looked totally different. Luckily, I didn't have that fearful feeling as I did in so many dreams about that house. Just an occasional strange feeling here and there. In fact, I was surprised that there were a few odd things that showed up in the photos that my dad took on his digital camera. I have created a web page which includes the photos and stories. Click here, if you would like to see them.

As a child, my grandmother owned a house that was very haunted! I tell the story on my website, click here if you wish to read about it. To give you the short version, there was lots of paranormal activity witnessed in that house during the time that grandma lived there. I personally experienced a lot of it. Also, I took a picture of the house the day she moved, only to discover an orange glowing figure showing up in the photo. See for yourself:

This all happened years and years ago. My grandmother moved out of that house in 1986. Since then I cannot seem to erase that place from my mind. I have so many dreams about that house, even to this day! I am often back inside and can feel the unseen presence around me. Most of the dreams include the fear and discomfort that I felt many times in that house.

The house now sits abandoned. The owners ceased taking care of it. We took a walk to see it last year and were surprised by how run down it looked. My mother also ran into the current owner and she said that her son hated sleeping in his bedroom. (but that isn't to necessarily due to him experiencing any ghostly activity...I hated sleeping in my room too and our house was clean) But the spooky thing that she did tell my mom is that after they moved out, they turned all of the electricity off. The owner's daughter, who lives next door to that house, reported seeing lights on in the house!

Recently, we found out that the house is up for sale. I have a friend, who is a real estate agent, that said he will take us to see the inside of the house. Part of me really wants to go back to make peace with this house and part of me is kind of scared about what I am going to feel when I walk through the door again. We are trying to schedule a visit for this Sunday. So, this story may be continued...

I sent the close up photo of my turtle, Fred, to True Romance Magazine's pet section called Loving Pets. They pay you $50 if they decide to publish your photo. Today, I received a letter from Sterling/Macfadden agreeing to pay me 50 big ones to print the photo and sign the rights of the image over to them. I really don't understand why they must own the rights to the photo, but if I want the fifty buckaroos, I better get my pen out! I may as well scratch out any future plans for other photo contests with that picture. But like my always loving and encouraging husband says, "You can always take more pictures of Fred!"

I have actually had two other photos published in the True Romance magazines of other pets. It's easy money. I get the impression that they don't get may entries. Here's one that was published of my kitties in 1999:

The magazine also has a children's section that pays you for photos of your child. I considered it, but I don't think I could live with myself, having my child's photo printed on the same pages as stories titled, "I Was A Female Werewolf" or "My Own Baby Hates Me". No, I just don't think that would be right... But, Fred on the other hand, he's a turtle, I can't cause too much psychological damage having his picture in there!

Thanks to all who voted for Maleena and Fred in the photo contests that I entered. I really appreciate you taking the time to do so. Even though neither photo won, it was fun anticipating the outcome and checking the sites every day to see if we got more votes! I've entered a few more since then, but there are no results as of yet. I'm always looking for photo contests to participate in, so if you hear of any, please let me know!

My husband was reading a business book that had some interesting facts about successful people/companies. Did you know that Dr. Suess was rejected by 24 publishers before he finally got a publishing deal? Or that Coca-Cola only sold 400 bottles of Coke in it's first year? And Gillette only sold 40 razors in it's first year. It just goes to show that you should never give up on your dream of being successful, if you truly believe in what you have to give.

Quote of the day : Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul. - Douglas MacArthur